MEMBER DIARY

Get that Man a Drink

Despite his unfortuante swig, Rubio's message like a cool drink to a thirsty GOP.

Tuesday night Marco Rubio delivered an excellent rebuttal to President Obama and the democrats message of spend, tax and spend some more. He was a great spokesperson for the conservative message. He was confident, eloquent and he was right about what it will take to get this country back on track. Unfortunately, he was also thirsty.

It certainly was an odd time to take a swig of water, especially since he only had three and a half minutes left in a fourteen and a half minute speech. I’m sure he was feeling the heat, though, probably crammed in an office with others and surrounded by high-intensity camera lights. You could tell his mouth was dry from the start, and there were a few times it looked like he could have used one of those head bands that I used to wear when I played tennis on 90 degree days.

So, as expected, his ill-timed drink was the news the next morning. That clip of him quenching his thirst was the five seconds that was played in the media–not the substance of what he said. And, if I were a betting man, I would bet a bundle that his dry mouth will be the subject of the opening skit on Saturday Night Live this week.

Still, it was a great speech. It was for me a glimmer of hope. It was a picture of someone who can relate and who is relatable. It was someone human, who gets thirsty. It was someone who gets what makes our country and economy the envy of the world. It’s not the government. It’s individuals free to pursue their dreams and enjoy success without the government getting in the way or demonizing their success. As he said last night:

This opportunity – to make it to the middle class or beyond no matter where you start out in life – it isn’t bestowed on us from Washington. It comes from a vibrant free economy where people can risk their own money to open a business. And when they succeed, they hire more people, who in turn invest or spend the money they make, helping others start a business and create jobs.

I’m looking forward to 2016. Marco’s my man. We just have to make sure he runs and that we keep him hydrated.